China-Kazakhstan trade center sees surge in visitors

URUMQI — A China-Kazakhstan trade center received 4.24 million visits from January to October, up 44 percent year-on-year, according to local border inspection authorities.

Hu Ruifeng with Horgos City border checkpoint in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, said the China-Kazakhstan International Border Cooperation Center in Horgos saw 23,000 visitors a day during peak time, forcing the staff to offer faster customs clearance.

Covering 5.28 square kilometers, the center opened in April 2012 as a destination for cross-border shopping. It has more than 40 duty-free shops, selling luxurious brands, such as Omega and Versace.

The Chinese section, covering 3.43 square kilometers, is home to more than 4,000 commercial tenants.

The facility is the world’s only cross-border free trade zone. It allows entry of citizens from any country with valid passports or with exit and entry permits.